Captain America: Brave New World marks a significant milestone in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as the fourth installment in the franchise, introducing Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson as the new Captain America, succeeding Chris Evans' Steve Rogers. This film not only continues the Captain America saga but also ties up loose ends from one of the earliest MCU films, The Incredible Hulk, making it a de facto sequel. Here, we explore the connections and the return of key characters like Harrison Ford's Thunderbolt Ross, Tim Blake Nelson's The Leader, and Liv Tyler's Betty Ross, highlighting why Brave New World is essentially The Incredible Hulk 2.

Captain America: Brave New World Debut Trailer Images

4 ImagesTim Blake Nelson’s The Leader

The Incredible Hulk laid the groundwork for a major antagonist in the Hulk's universe with the introduction of Tim Blake Nelson's Samuel Sterns. This character, who initially helps Bruce Banner (played by Edward Norton) from afar in his quest for a cure, meets him in person and reveals his ambitious and ethically questionable experiments with Banner's gamma-irradiated blood. Sterns' transformation into The Leader, a gamma-powered villain known for his intellect, was teased at the end of The Incredible Hulk, and it's only now, in Brave New World, that this storyline is being revisited.

Sterns was just beginning to transform into The Leader when last we saw him. Since then, according to the MCU canon comic The Avengers Prelude: Fury’s Big Week, Sterns was taken into S.H.I.E.L.D. custody by Black Widow. Now, having escaped, he's central to the conspiracy involving Captain America and President Ross. While his exact role in Brave New World remains under wraps, it's speculated that he might be involved in Ross's transformation into Red Hulk and could be eyeing the newly introduced adamantium, a metal that could change the balance of power globally.

Brave New World also marks the return of Liv Tyler as Betty Ross, a character pivotal to The Incredible Hulk. Betty, who was romantically involved with Bruce Banner and instrumental in his survival after gamma exposure, has been largely absent from the MCU since the events of that film. Her reappearance in Brave New World brings back her complex relationship with her father, Thunderbolt Ross, and her expertise in gamma research. While details of her role in the new film are scarce, there's potential for her to reconnect with her father, now the President, or even explore her transformation into Red She-Hulk as seen in the comics.

Betty's journey has been marked by her dedication to helping Banner, her strained relationship with her father, and her temporary disappearance during the events of Avengers: Infinity War. Her return promises to add depth to the narrative, especially in relation to the gamma-powered elements and her father's new role as President.

The most direct link to The Incredible Hulk is Harrison Ford's portrayal of Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, now President of the United States. Ford steps into the role previously played by William Hurt, who introduced Ross as a formidable antagonist to Banner. Ross's obsession with controlling the Hulk led to disastrous consequences, including the creation of the Abomination. In Brave New World, Ross seeks to redefine himself, aiming to foster cooperation between the Avengers and the government.

Ross's journey from a military general to President is marked by his efforts to rectify past mistakes and his transformation into Red Hulk. This development not only ties back to his history with the Hulk but also introduces new dynamics with Sam Wilson, the new Captain America. The film explores the geopolitical implications of the newly discovered adamantium, further complicating Ross's mission to protect his country.

Despite the deep connections to The Incredible Hulk, Bruce Banner, aka the Hulk, played by Mark Ruffalo, appears to be absent from Brave New World. His presence would make sense, given his history with Ross and Sterns, and his current status as a respected member of the Avengers. However, with his focus on his new family, including his cousin Jen Walters (She-Hulk) and son Skaar, Banner might be off-world, explaining his absence.

Ruffalo's brief appearance in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings hints at Banner's ongoing role in the MCU, yet his involvement in Brave New World seems limited, possibly to a post-credits scene. This absence leaves Sam Wilson to navigate the conspiracy surrounding Red Hulk and The Leader without the Hulk's support, setting the stage for future MCU developments.

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